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Overseas visitors

Guidance on charges for NHS treatment and exemptions for people visiting the UK. NHS trusts have a legal obligation to identify and charge those people not entitled to free NHS hospital treatment: they will make their decision in accordance with the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011.

Guidance on eligibility for free hospital treatment under the NHS

Are you visiting the United Kingdom? Have you been living outside the UK for more than 6 months? Did you know that you may have to pay for hospital treatment whilst here? Hospital treatment is free to people who ordinarily live in the United Kingdom (UK). If you do not normally live here than you may be required to pay for any treatment you might need. This is regardless of whether you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past. PLEASE NOTE: THESE PAGES ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY

Latest updates

Implementing the Overseas Visitors Hospital Charging Regulations 2011

This guidance is for NHS bodies in carrying out their duties under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011 to make and recover charges for NHS hospital treatment from overseas visitors not exempt from charge. It also includes guidance to safeguard the health of those not entitled to free hospital treatment. This is an updated version of guidance issued on the date the above Regulations came into force (1 August 2011), incorporating new guidance on when and how to share information with the UK Border Agency on overseas visitors with debts to the NHS.

New review of access to the NHS by overseas visitors announced, plus outcome of recent consultation

This is the Government’s response to the consultation Review of Access to the NHS by Foreign Nationals, outlining minor changes to Charging Regulations and opportunities for collecting debts to the NHS by refusing visas to NHS debtors. The document also announces a wide-ranging review of free access to the NHS.

Reporting procedures of overseas visitors from the EEA

The European Health Insurance Care (EHIC) details of visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who are provided with NHS treatment should be recorded and reported in order for the UK to claim back the costs of treatment. E112/S2 details are also necessary for the UK to claim back the cost of planned treatment.